Ladybirds hit by ‘big bad brother’

Published:13:18Saturday 30 July 2011

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Ladybirds are one of our best-loved and most charismatic bugs, but because of their bigger, stronger relatives invading from overseas, the long-term future of these colourful beetles has been placed in serious doubt.

For many of us, our first significant encounter with a ladybird comes with a ‘plague’.

And the chances are that the individuals in this red plague are members of an invasive species of ladybird that has been described by environmental charities as a “wildlife and heritage disaster”.

Since 2003 the Asian harlequin ladybird has attracted the kind of bad press now reserved for Antipodean media moguls.

The interloper arrived in the UK, as ever from America, as a means to control aphids.

But, in less than a decade, the harlequin has left a trail of destruction that threatens the very survival of many of our much-loved native ladybirds.

But it was not always thus. For hundreds of years our ladybirds have basked in the glory of being the nation’s second favourite insect behind our over-the-top show-offs – the butterflies.

Much loved by gardeners, ladybirds have fought on our behalf in the endless war waged on aphids.

And this bug even enjoys religious connotations. The name ladybird is derived from our most common native species – the seven-spot ladybird (we have 47 species in all). The red colouration is supposed to represent the Virgin Mary’s red cloak, the insect’s seven spots a nod toward her seven joys and seven sorrows.

The ladybird is not only saintly but can also boast to being the sexiest bug in Britain. Who can forget the television advert featuring two overly amorous ladybirds getting extremely well acquainted to the backing music of Serge Gainsbourg’s raunchy hit Je t’aime.

So what exactly has the harlequin done to unravel centuries of good press?

Well, the beetle’s biggest problem is that, like the invading grey squirrel, it is bigger, stronger and more competitive than our native species.

Unlike most other ladybirds, the harlequin doesn’t stick to one food type such as aphids. Its enormous appetite extends to other ladybird eggs and even those of moths and butterflies.

Conservationists are concerned that the adaptability of the harlequin, which is named after the fact that it can appear in more than 100 different colour patterns, could threaten the long-term survival of some of our native ladybird species.